The 147-metre vessel will operate 12 sailings per week and provide 2,800 lane metres of additional freight space on the route, which is an important connection between Northern Ireland and the road freight network in the north of England.
According to Stena Line, the Stena Futura has been designed with bespoke marine technology to meet the unique tidal conditions at Heysham port. Its sister ship, the Stena Connecta, is currently under construction and scheduled to enter service on the same route in early 2026. Together, the two vessels are expected to boost freight capacity on the line by 40%, responding to growing demand for transport between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.
Both vessels are hybrid-ready and equipped to operate on methanol fuel. They are also designed with the capability to use battery propulsion and shore power when facilities are available, aligning with Stena Line’s efforts to reduce emissions from its fleet.
The company said the combination of additional freight capacity and hybrid technologies will improve both efficiency and environmental performance on one of its busiest freight corridors.
